They may have only released one full-length album in their original incarnation, but UK Decay influenced a generation of musicians, and along with Southern Death Cult and Siouxsie and the Banshees are considered by some to be the fore fathers of the goth movement.  A quarter century on from their last studio recording, the core [...]

Frantzeska is a three piece punk/alternative rock band from Bilbao, Spain. ‘BesauriOn!’ is their second release and although it may be half the length of their prior record, stylistically, they branch out twice as far.  In just five numbers and with the help of four friends, they show off a multitude of styles and influences, [...]

Following a couple of singles and EPs, this 2013 full-length from The Best of the Worst captures the band on top form.  ‘Perspectives’ includes many of the necessary ingredients for a great skacore experience: the juxtaposition of tough riffs and shiny horn parts combined with a knack for the off-kilter leads to a listening experience [...]

Branching out from their street punk beginnings, over the course of several albums, Swingin’ Utters have constantly evolved.  They may have become more commercial with the passing years, but if 2013’s ‘Poorly Formed’ tells us anything, it is that vocalist Johnny Bonnel and company know how to pen potentially very memorable tunes. Crashing through fourteen [...]

Following a much earlier EP and cuts on various comps, this 2011 7” by City Mouse is a superb disc.  Issued on It’s Alive Records (home to The Copyrights, The Methadones and Gateway District), this record represents the Riverside, California punks as an underground band at the top of their game. Fitting a huge amount [...]

Following an EP in 2008, US/Czech punks Pipes and Pints attracted a cult audience with their first full length LP in 2009.  Three years on, their brand of Celtic street punk gets a second airing on ‘Found & Lost’.   It is unlikely to win over many people who’ve previously not grasped any other bagpipe led [...]

Released via the independent Baldy Longhair Records – a label championing analogue formats, specialising in cassettes – This split EP ‘…Are On The Other Side’ features three tracks each from two New Jersey DIY bands.  The Disconnects’ straight up rock ‘n’ roll/punk hybrid (with a heavy leaning towards the latter) should appeal to most punk-oriented [...]

Following a string of DIY records, on the appropriately titled ‘Girls’, Orange County hardcore punks Vultures United pay tribute to works originally performed by female fronted acts.  And that’s not all: in addition to the half-dozen covers which make up the bulk of this release, the band have also included a few self-penned instrumental segues.  [...]

Despite only recording two full length albums of original material between 1996-2012, Chicago punks The Vindictives have secured a cult following.  This is due in part to their having shared members with Screeching Weasel (including Ben himself).   Most of their legacy seems to revolve around punk fans’ love/hate relationship with their 1998 re-recording of Ramones’ [...]

Mixing garage punk, a little garage blues and a whole world of attitude, this debut EP by New Yorkers (the) Thunderfucks has little time for subtlety.  Despite never taking the speed-punk route of bands like Zeke (whose debut clocked up twenty songs in just about twenty four minutes) it’s still pretty damn fast in places.  [...]